Paleontologists have discovered two new three-dimensionally preserved aculiferous mollusks from the Silurian period, showing that the earliest molluscs were more complex and adaptable than previously known. It was revealed that there was.
3D model of punk ferox (above) and emo swirl (Bottom) Reconstructed as a digital virtual fossil. Image credit: Mark Sutton, Imperial College London.
The two new Aculifera species are punk ferox and emo swirllived about 430 million years ago.
The specimen was discovered in a Silurian deposit in the county of Herefordshire, England.
These had distinctive spikes and other features that set them apart from the earlier molluscs mentioned above.
Dr Mark Sutton, a paleontologist at Imperial College London, said: “Molluscans are one of the largest and most diverse groups of animals on Earth.
“However, early acripheran molluscs are less well known than their relatives.”
“Information about this group was limited, and for a very long time we thought they were fairly basic, simple, and primitive.”
“It's extremely rare to find fossils that are so well-preserved and have such detailed soft tissues.”
“We were able to create 'virtual fossils', or 3D digital models. This provided us with a treasure trove of information and revealed that the evolutionary branches of molluscs include: It helps you understand that punk ferox and emo swirl It was much more evolutionarily rich and diverse than we expected. similar to other mollusk groups. ”
Sutton and his colleagues used two different methods to obtain clear images of both the interior and exterior of the fossil.
First, an X-ray scan was used to closely observe the internal structure without damaging the exterior.
The fossil is then carefully crushed into very thin layers and photographed at each stage to create 3D images of its external features.
The researchers found that both fossils had smooth undersides, suggesting they lived on the ocean floor, and both had some unique features and unconventional locomotion strategies.
of emo swirl The fossil is preserved in a folded position, suggesting it moved like an inchworm to grasp the vertebrae and push forward.
Meanwhile, how punk ferox Scientists weren't sure if it was still mobile, but it turned out that it had ridge-like legs, unlike any mollusk that exists today.
“The name is punk ferox and emo swirl In fact, our first nicknames for these ancient mollusks were inspired by some of their unique features and personalities,” Dr. Sutton said.
“punk ferox In particular, its spiky appearance clearly resembles a rebellious punk rocker. emo swirl It complemented it nicely. ”
“meanwhile punk ferox They resemble insect-like molluscs with long spines, but also have wide legs and chiton-like gills. ”
“emo swirlIt resembles an earthworm with a similarly long body and spines, but also features a chiton-like shell and compressed body. ”
“Such a combination of features helps us better understand the evolutionary tree of molluscs. This points to a story involving more complexity and diversity than previously thought.”
of study Published in a magazine nature.
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MD Sutton others. New Silurian aculiferan fossils reveal the mollusk's complex early history. naturepublished online on January 8, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08312-0
Source: www.sci.news
